Lacey Donohue

David Edward Benes, 54, of Holiday, Florida was arrested Tuesday after imprisoning his 80-year-old girlfriend and attempting to perform a two-day exorcism on her. The couple had been living together for three years.

The alleged exorcism began on Monday when Benes held down his girlfriend and tried “to get the devil out of her.” He then took the batteries out of her phone to keep her from calling for help. After, he took her car keys and “dismantled” the garage to prevent it from opening. Then, somehow, the victim fell asleep.

When she woke the next morning, the alleged exorcism began again and when the authorities arrived (the woman somehow managed to call 911) , they found the bruised and scratched woman sitting outside the home crying. Benes was on the couch and “too drunk to remember what happened.” He then told the officers his girlfriend started the fight because “she is crazy.”

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He was arrested on charges of battery on a person 65 years or older and false imprisonment and remains in county jail.